New York Mets at Miami Marlins

The Mets won their last game behind 6.0 shutout innings from Jacob deGrom. This is the first deGrom start the Mets have won since July 11, and the five runs of support on Wednesday were the most the Mets have given deGrom since June 18, when he had 12 runs of support.

The Marlins rank last in MLB in batting average (.185), OBP (.210), and runs per game (2.0) in August. They have won three of their last five games despite scoring just 2.4 runs per game, largely behind a 1.48 ERA by their starters in those games.

With a double and two walks on Wednesday, Michael Conforto recorded his 300th career hit, 70th career double, and 170th career walk in 377 career games. Of the 42 players to ever reach these totals in a Mets uniform, none did it in fewer games than Conforto.

J.T. Realmuto has gone 0-for-19 in his last five games, and is hitting .209 since the All-Star break. His decrease in batting average since the break (.310 before, 209 after) ranks as the sixth-largest dropoff among NL qualifiers. He still leads all MLB catchers with a .290 average and .501 slugging percentage.

In Zach Wheeler's last four starts, he is 4-0 with a 1.95 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. He and Yovani Gallardo are the only two in MLB with four wins over this span (since July 14). Wheeler's 1.95 ERA is his lowest in a four-start span since 2014.

Jose Urena has allowed 47 baserunners in 49.0 career innings against the Mets. Urena's 0.96 career WHIP ranks third-lowest among active pitchers against the Mets, behind only teammate Adam Conley and Max Scherzer (minimum seven starts).

Both are 25-year-old right fielders in their first full years in the majors. Both are bright spots on teams battling just to stay out of last place in the National League East. And both will be at Marlins Park on Friday night, when Anderson's Miami Marlins will play host to Nimmo's New York Mets in the first of a three-game series.

Anderson, a native of Edmond, Oklahoma, was Miami's third-round pick in 2014. He's not a home run hitter -- just nine long balls in 139 major-leagues since his debut last year -- but he has a strong arm and has made a successful defensive transition from third base to right field this season.

But Nimmo has also struck out 113 times in 321 at-bats -- only 16 major-leaguers have fanned more often this season.

"I'm still a work in progress," Nimmo told Newsday. "I'm trying to be a more consistent hitter. As time goes on, I am hoping that hard work pays."

Nimmo has become a fan favorite in New York because of his hustle. Nimmo, for example, sprints to first following a walk.

Anderson also has his admirers, including former New York Yankees superstar Derek Jeter, who is now running the Marlins.

"He should be at the top of the list for anyone who talks about Rookie of the Year," Jeter said when asked by reporters about Anderson. "The consistency he's shown -- (some) people don't realize he's third baseman playing right field. That's not easy."

On Friday, Anderson will lead the last-place Marlins (47-69) against the fourth-place Mets (47-65).

The Marlins will start right-hander Jose Urena (3-11, 4.66 ERA), whose fastball averages 95.7 mph. He started the season 0-8 but has been 3-3 since.

Wheeler has clearly had the better season so far, and he is currently on a career-best, four-game win streak. He has not allowed a run in 17 consecutive innings, and he matched his season high with nine strikeouts in his most recent start.

Urena is just 1-8 with a 4.29 ERA in 14 home starts this season. Wheeler is 3-1 with a 3.81 ERA in nine road starts.

Wheeler is also 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three second-half starts.

First baseman Justin Bour leads the Marlins in homers (19) and RBIs (54). But catcher J.T. Realmuto, Miami's only All-Star this year, leads the team in batting average (.290), OPS (.841) and doubles (24). He has also been exceptional throwing runners out and is likely the fastest catcher in the majors.

"He is one of the best all-around catchers in the majors," Jeter said. "He's a guy we'd love to have on our roster long-term."